Maine

Why it's so hard to sell this million-dollar Maine home with a mountain view

Published

11 months ago

April 4, 2025

Why it's so hard to sell this million-dollar Maine home with a mountain view

Housing
This section of the BDN aims to help readers understand Maine’s housing crisis, the volatile real estate market and the public policy behind them. Read more Housing coverage here.

A refurbished farmhouse sitting on 100 acres with a clear view of the western Maine mountains is for sale for $1.4 million.

The current owners of the 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home in Phillips have lived there for more than three decades. They maintain the fields so they don’t grow over. The chief reason they’re selling the place is because they’re at retirement age and don’t want to deal with the upkeep.

Its large acreage has set it apart as a rare opportunity for homebuyers, but that’s also the reason the property has sat on the market for more than 200 days since September.

“It’s a lot for some people to think about,” listing agent Eric Kinney said. “At that price point, you might want to take care of those fields.”

The large acreage presents plenty of opportunities for creative buyers. One is a potential subdivision, Kinney, a real estate agent with Sandy River Realty in Farmington who has also worked in the area as a builder for the last 45 years, said. He said “decent” homes are in real short supply in Phillips, where this is the only home for sale.

One prospective buyer has been interested in maintaining the fields and restoring the property back to what its purpose was decades ago: a working farm. But most are just looking for a full-time residence. Some are interested in splitting the parcel up to sell off land, Kinney said.

The listing is one of 32 properties for sale in Maine as of Thursday that sit on 100 acres or more. Such a large parcel of land is a much rarer find today than it was just a few years ago, Kinney said.

“There’s fewer and fewer of those,” he said. “There’s not many places left with this acreage, views, privacy.”

Many larger properties like this listing were sold to people from out of state during the COVID-era real estate boom, the agent said. At the pandemic’s outset, people wanted to get away and buy their own private space. Maine had plenty of properties that fit the bill.

Today, that frenzy has chilled. But the luxury market is still strong and properties like Kinney’s going for more than $1 million are still seeing a high level of interest. A mix of both local and out-of-state buyers have been interested in purchasing the Phillips property since it was listed for sale in September, but none have followed through with an offer yet.

The farmhouse itself is an attraction, boasting more than 2,500 square feet of living space with views and tasteful updates made by the current owners. It was built in 1850, so has rustic charm and antique quirks including two wood stoves, but the owners have installed a new furnace, alarms, electrical systems and insulation. It also has a firepit, root cellar, barn, shed and a three-car attached garage.

The property is rural, but is less than 10 minutes from in-town Phillips, a small town that still retains some amenities including a grocery store. It’s about a half-hour to both Farmington and the four-season vacation destination of Rangeley. The road that splits the property is town-maintained, an added bonus in the winter months.

“It’s just a unique property, with the views and everything that goes with it,” Kinney said. “It’s just serene up there.”

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Maine

Rage Room in Portland, Maine, Developing ‘Scream Room’ Addition

Published

3 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Rage Room in Portland, Maine, Developing ‘Scream Room’ Addition

For a lot of people throughout Maine, there’s some built up frustration that they’ve just been keeping inside.

That frustration can come in a lot of different forms. From finances to relationships to the world around you.

So it makes plenty of sense that a rage room opened in Portland, Maine, where people can let some of that frustration out.

It’s called Mayhem and people have been piling in to smash, crush and do dastardly things to inanimate objects that had no idea what was coming.

But Mayhem has realized not everyone is down with swinging a sledgehammer. So they’ve decided to cook up something new.

Mayhem Creating ‘Scream Room’ at Their Space in Portland, Maine

Perhaps the thought of swinging a baseball bat and destroying a glass vase brings you joy. The thought of how sore your body will be after that moment makes you less excited.

Mayhem Portland has heard you loud and clear and is developing a new way to get the rage out. By just screaming.

Mayhem is working on opening their very first scream room. It’s exactly what you think it is, a safe place to spend some time just screaming all of the frustration out.

There isn’t an official opening date set yet but it’s coming soon along with pricing.

Mayhem in Portland, Maine, Will Still Offer Rage Rooms and Paint Splatter

While a scream room is on the way, you can still experience a good time at Mayhem with one of their rage rooms or a paint splatter room.

Both can be experienced in either 20-minute or 30-minute sessions.

All the details including some age and attire requirements can be found here.

TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Things to do in Portland, Maine

Looking for fun things to do in Portland, ME? Here is what the reviewers on TripAdvisor say are the 10 best attractions.

This list was updated in March of 2026

Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka

Top 15 of The Most Powerful People in Maine

Ever wonder who the most powerful players are in Maine? I’ve got a list!

Gallery Credit: Getty Images

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Maine

Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money

Published

15 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – If you’ve ever wondered what goes into pitching a good business idea, you might want to stop by a Big Gig event.

The Big Gig Entrepreneurship Pitch Off brings professionals from across the state together to network and pitch their early-stage business ideas for a chance to win $500.

Tuesday’s competition was held at the Salty Brick Market in Bangor, and it drew a lot of spectators.

“The winners of each semifinal event get $500 and the opportunity to compete for $5,000, so that can make a huge impact on a business that’s just getting off the ground,” said Renee Kelly, a Big Gig organizer.

The winner of the competition, Colin McGuire, was also grateful for the opportunity to showcase his idea “Art on Tap,” which would connect local artists with local venues trying to put on events.

“The support tonight is huge, and it’s just giving me more enthusiasm for running with the idea,” he said.

The season finale of the competition will be held May 19th.

The location is yet to be determined.

If you’d like to apply to compete in the contest, you can go to biggig.org.

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Maine

This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak

Are you up for a Maine food challenge, or are your eyes bigger than your stomach?

A Waterville staple, Buen Apetito has a monster burrito just waiting for someone to eat it down to the very last bite.

This thing is a beast, literally called La Bestia, and it’s definitely a mighty task for a fearless foodie.

Take on the Buen Apetito La Bestia Food Challenge in Waterville, Maine

According to Buen Apetito, if you can finish a super-sized burrito in 30 minutes or less, you’ll get the $60 meal for free, a La Bestia champion shirt, and a picture on the wall of fame. That’s not to mention the bragging rights of dominating a task few will be able to conquer.

Wondering what’s in the burrito?

The Mexican restaurant shared in a Facebook comment on a post that the burrito is filled with “grilled chicken, chorizo, and tender shredded beef or pork. Built on a layer of seasoned rice, refried beans, and French fries, it’s melted together with a shredded Mexican cheese blend and a drizzle of creamy cheese sauce, sautéed peppers and onions, green salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream, creamy guacamole, and a bed of shredded lettuce all wrapped in three extra-large tortillas fused into one epic wrap.”

Let’s just say that this thing is packed full.

The first La Bestia contender took up his fork and knife in December 2025, but despite coming close, he couldn’t come out with the win.

As of March 2026, the challenge has remained undefeated. But you never know, someone is bound to come out victorious.

Just note that you can only try your hand at this food challenge on Wednesday and Thursday.

Buen Apetito Has Been a Longstanding Waterville, Maine, Restaurant

First opened in 1999, Buen Apeitito has been around for nearly 30 years.

Centralmaine.com reported that the Mexican restaurant was originally located at the Railroad Square complex off Chaplin Street before moving to 99 West River Road in 2023.

A little over a year later, in 2024, Buen Apetito shared on Facebook that it was passing on the torch to new owners, including Dalia, “the heart and soul of [the] kitchen for twenty years,” her daughter, Norma, and Norma’s husband, Shawn.

READ MORE: Famous Maine Restaurant Buen Apetito Adds Powerhouse New Owner to Crew

And it seems like not only are things still going strong, but new additions like La Bestia food challenge are only enhancing the spirit of big flavor and delicious Mexican food at the Waterville staple.

So, you think you’re up for the task of taking down a beast of a burrito at Buen Apetito? Good luck.